Begins at 6 p.m. Thursday

In observance of National Day of Prayer on May 4, a public gathering will be held beginning at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Members of the Henryetta Area Ministerial Alliance met April 26 at Shoney’s for coffee and to promote unity among the Christian churches.

“We agree on the Lordship of Jesus Christ, all other issues are non-essential,” Evangelist Marcus Whitworth Sr. said.

During the meeting, the group agreed to once again promote and provide a public prayer meeting at the Henryetta Gazebo to observe the National Day of Prayer.

Henryetta ministers are asking their flocks, and the general public, to join together at the gazebo south of the Henryetta Civic Center May 4 for the National Day of Prayer.

The public is invited to attend the event which will begin at 5 p.m. at 4th and Moore.

From 5-6 p.m., there will be complimentary hot dogs, chips and drinks served, provided by Henryetta’s Joy In Life Church. During this

SEE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, PAGE A2 hour, there will be live Praise & Worship music.

At 6 p.m. sharp, Pastor Suzie Stephens will direct the actual Prayer Gathering, as she has done in times past. This will be followed by approximately seven Prayer Leaders coming to the microphone to lead a certain topic of prayer concern.

“All attendees will then pray ‘in one accord’ over the matter(s) at hand,” Whitworth said.

Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs.

The program will include prayers for the government, military, media, business, education, church and families.

In light of the tragic events that unfolded this week in the area, the community is especially urged to join in the event.

It is open to the public and refreshments will be provided following the service.

The National Day of Prayer has its roots dating back to colonial days. In 1775, the Continental Congress issued a proclamation recommending a day of prayer. It was abandoned from 1784 until 1789 then was held sporadically until 1982 when a National Prayer Committee banded together to set a fixed annual day of prayer. In 1988, the first Thursday in May was officially adopted as the National Day of Prayer.